Independent Hajj Reporters, IHR, have hailed the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency for refunding $50 to its pilgrims who paid for Hadaya following the downward price review it got from the company that it engaged in slaughtering animals on their behalf.
DAILY POST recalls that a recent comment about the refund was made by Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Rabiu Dabo, rtd, a board member of the Agency who chaired the Hadaya Committee.
It further stated that the pilgrims will either be paid in Saudi Arabia or Nigeria, depending on their preferences.
Reacting on Sunday, IHR in a statement said the transparency exhibited by the Kaduna agency must be commended, especially coming at a time of too much secrecy surrounding the issues of payment of Hadaya services by pilgrims and its execution from some states.
Pilgrims deserve to know how much was expended on the Hadaya project on their behalf whether it is less or higher than what they are charged by the committee set up by States Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards
It said this would create an atmosphere of trust and confidence in the minds of the general public and prospective pilgrims.
It said they are aware that some states charge higher than Kaduna State to undertake Hadaya for their pilgrims but we are yet to hear of any form of public announcement on how much was involved or refund.
It said the Kaduna officials deserve commendation particularly because it realised that about 700 pilgrims who initially paid for the Hadaya ahead of their trip to Saudi Arabia are the ones to be refunded after foreign exchange differences.
“We urge all officials to emulate the example set by Kaduna state and refund pilgrims if there is any downward review of the price of Rams purchased for their pilgrims. Doing so will earn you rewards more than you can imagine,” IHR added.